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[Categories: Music]

19 Oct 2008

Buy Proscar Without Prescription

Posted by Martin [Tags: Macross Frontier, Yoko Kanno]

The second Macross Plus Buy Proscar Without Prescription, OST album was a bit more of a mixed bag than the first, with fewer standout tracks and more oddities. Not so with the second LP-length outing for Frontier though: this disc is every bit as good as its predecessor, Online buy Proscar without a prescription, and possibly of even higher quality if I make allowances for the songs growing on me in the fullness of time. The running order seems to place vocal tracks and instrumentals alternately, which prevents it getting repetitive and gives an emotional break or ‘reset’ between the lyrical flagship-type songs and the instrumental BGM ones, buy cheap Proscar.

The proceedings kick off as before in dramatic style with an orchestral instrumental track, Where can i buy cheapest Proscar online, this time with Prologue F; it's less than two minutes long but sets the mood wonderfully. The Jpop side of Frontier makes itself felt immediately afterwards with Northern Cross, which launches itself into a fuzzy, buy cheap Proscar no rx, strident electric guitar, Proscar without a prescription, a fast-paced beat with May'n's vocals picking up the pace. It's a heady blend of (synthesised?) orchestral strings, frantic drums and six-string riffery; as a (re)introduction to the vocal aspect of the score, it's a sound choice, Buy Proscar Without Prescription.

I'm not the biggest fan of Triangler but the dueted vocals of the Fight on stage version work well and the unbreakable connection between the tune and its role as op theme in the series brings back some great memories. High School Life, Proscar alternatives, that acoustic guitar-driven tune used in the episode previews, Proscar treatment, follows with its dashes of accordion and the occasional twang of funky bass; it's only a BGM piece but is still fun. Transformation is another example of how Frontier makes excellent use of classical and electric instrumentation to crank up the tension - I must confess that pulsating synth bass gets me every time.

What can I say about Anata no Oto apart from the fact that it's absolutely lovely, Proscar from canadian pharmacy. Along with What 'bout My Star? Buy Proscar Without Prescription, it's my favourite vocal piece of the series, which is saying something given the competition on show here. It has this breathy, Is Proscar addictive, wide-eyed optimism that suits Megumi Nakajima's vocal style perfectly; hopefully fans will look upon her performances more kindly than the character she played because this is what I'll remember her part in Frontier for above all. So poppy yet so utterly perfect.

It's a return for the horns section for Test Flight Delight, discount Proscar, which reminds me of the old Macross Plus score, Buy generic Proscar, which is no bad thing really, and makes for a nice intermission. Seikan Hikou brings things back for another lyrical performance but there's not much I can say about this that I haven't (or won't in the future) say about Nakajima's vocals, where can i order Proscar without prescription. It's not subpar by any means, but is all too easily lost in such fine company; it's a pleasant and catchy number but not the best, Buy Proscar Without Prescription. Such is the risk of setting such high standards for yourself, Purchase Proscar online, I guess.

Inu Mimi Ranka is another one of those quirky incidental pieces that forms another intermission on the disc; it's not a mindblowing song but it's good for completists and prevents the vocal-driven material blurring into one; such as Yousei for instance, which is a longer May'n piece and carries a more mature and bittersweet vibe than Ms Nakajima's songs do, order Proscar online overnight delivery no prescription. I won't pass judgement on which of the two is the better performer (May'n's voice has less shrillness but Nakajima's is somewhat livelier) but placing their contrasting timbres and styles side-by-side is I think beneficial to both. Proscar maximum dosage, The interesting coda, which drops the instrumentation out a few bars before the vocals finish, was a nice touch, Proscar use.

Tsuioki no Trumpet Buy Proscar Without Prescription, , another outing for the horns section that harks back to the franchise's grandiose sci-fi roots, is followed by the alternate version of the first end theme, Shinkuu Diamond Cravasse. Like the @formo version of What 'bout My Star?, Proscar wiki, the stripped-down instrumentation in the verses allows the lyrical side of things to shine through more clearly and provides a more evocative effect when the dynamic change for the chorus happens.

The question "Do you remember love?" is familiar to diehard Macross fans I think, who will probably reply with a "Hell yeah!" as I did with Nakajima's bless the little queen, buy Proscar without prescription. Turn the nostalgia up to 11 and listen to how Kanno updates an 80s tune for the 21st century...the nostalgia factor pretty much prevents me making an objective assessment of this take on Mari IIjima's classic so I'll say I'm glad to see it included here and leave it at that. Fast shipping Proscar, ^_^

The introspective piano-driven Ao no Ether is a welcome opportunity for listeners to regain their composure, and benefits from its straightforward, honest simplicity, buy Proscar online cod. Less is more in this case as far as instrumentation is concerned: the strings colour the melody to make it a relaxing and pleasant piece, Buy Proscar Without Prescription. Is this LOVE? is another example of Kanno at her most experimental and idiosyncratic with those peculiar sampled loops; Shadow of Michael is another instrumental track but the melancholy and dignity that comes from the plaintive string section fit the subject perfectly. Proscar duration, The contention surrounding the ‘Grace Remix’, Aimo O.C., is I think down to the context in which it appeared in the show as opposed to the quality of the song itself, where can i cheapest Proscar online. Its role in the series was that of taking something beautiful, Proscar schedule, mysterious and otherwordly, only to make it a weapon of war; as a piece of music, listened to on its own merits alone, Proscar reviews, it's fan-fucking-tastic. Proscar mg, Nakajima's delivery is still a tearjerker and the backing harmonies of synth, guitar and choral backing vocals (which also play into my Depeche Mode fanaticism) transform it from a soothing galactic lullaby to a chilling rush of heartstopping win. Buy Proscar Without Prescription, It lacks the purity of the original of course, but as with the Bird Humans version it embellishes the main melody and somehow makes the same tune feel slightly different.

Battle Frontier picks up the brooding melody of Bajura and combines it with the more upbeat and tension-filled, order Proscar from mexican pharmacy, action-orientated BGM; it's another song arranged in the tracklisting as a cushion of sorts between two vocal ones: in this case Aimo O.C. and the equally epic (albeit epic for different reasons) Nyan Nyan Service Medley. Get Proscar, This one I'm still undecided on: it's fun to identify the component songs, the May'n/Megumi Nakajima duet works like a charm and the sheer length (seven and a half minutes!) makes it great. On the downside, is Proscar safe, having each one played back-to-back, Proscar price, with a couple being performed simultaneously, does detract a bit from the impact they would have when listened to individually and this is the only place you'll find Lion currently on an LP-length disc. Frontier is often thought of as something of a love letter to Macross fans anyway, buy Proscar from mexico, so I think of this as the SWALK from Kanno and Kawamori...and it reminds me of that fantastic final battle too. Good memories indeed, and that final snippet of Aimo is guaranteed to send shivers down your spine for one last time, Buy Proscar Without Prescription. Cheap Proscar, Protoculture is an oddity, but quite honestly not much could follow on from the medley that precedes it; I can't remember where it appears in the series but the samples of various strange creatures wouldn't make it sound out-of-place in Macross Zero. Given the emphasis on technology and modern (de)culture, buy Proscar online no prescription, it's a nice nod to the franchise's origins and Kawamori's environmentalist leanings. Proscar photos, In any case it's a good warm-down from the emotionally-charged material that makes up the rest of the record and reminds us once again of Kanno's versatility; just enough to keep me going until the Frontier movie.

Track Listing

Once again it's a heady and confusing mix of kana and romanji, which is a pain to type, buying Proscar online over the counter, copy and paste but also makes me wish all the more for an international version with English language sleevenotes (c'mon Beez, Proscar images, you know you want to!). It's happened with many of Kanno's earlier works, so keep your fingers crossed...

Prologue F

ノーザンクロス (Northern Cross)

トライアングラー (Triangler (fight on stage))

High School Life

トランスフォーメーション (Transformation)

アナタノオト (Your Sound)

Test Flight Delight

星間飛行 (Interstellar Flight)

イヌミミランカ (Dog-ears Ranka)

妖精 (Fairy)

追憶のトランペット, (Reminiscence Trumpet)

真空のダイアモンドクレバス (Empty Diamond Cravasse)

愛・おぼえていますか (Do You Remember Love?~Bless the Little Queen)

蒼のエーテル (Azure Ether)

Is this LOVE?

Shadow of Michael

アイモ O.C. (Aimo O.C.)

Battle Frontier

娘々サービスメドレー (Nyan Nyan Service Medley)

プロトカルチュア (Protoculture)

[4 Comments]

[Categories: Music]

19 Aug 2008

Buy Lexapro Without Prescription

Posted by Martin [Tags: Macross Frontier, Yoko Kanno]

Macross Frontier Buy Lexapro Without Prescription, is something of a full circle trip for Yoko Kanno. Buy Lexapro online cod, Macross Plus, along with its two OST albums, Lexapro cost, Online buying Lexapro, was my introduction to both her work and that of Kawamori's Macross franchise, so the news that the two of them would be working together again was what made me so enthusiastic about this series, canada, mexico, india. Lexapro for sale, It's inevitable that comparisons will be drawn but the atmospherics of the two shows are so different that the scores inevitably have their own distinct sound and feel: Plus was very grown-up and cinematic while Frontier is more fun and eager to revel in the nostalgia of the franchise as a whole. Because of this, no prescription Lexapro online, Lexapro images, the Frontier soundtrack has a stronger pop slant as well as the orchestral numbers; in my reviews of the series so far I was reluctant to place the Frontier score alongside its illustrious predecessor but saying I've started to change my stance on that a bit is an understatement. I might go as far importing it in fact, where can i buy cheapest Lexapro online, Order Lexapro from mexican pharmacy, unless Beez pick up the license and release it with English language packaging (which would consequentially make me a happier if slightly poorer man).

Frontier 2059, that instrumental piece that plays in the background to the intro narration of the early episodes, is an appropriate way to kick off the proceedings: it starts off quietly but the use of dynamic changes gives it a marvellous build-up that sums up the concept of dramatic things going on in space, Buy Lexapro Without Prescription. I reserve using the word ‘epic’ in reviews but for something like this you have to risk a choice of such an over-used term because it's just that: epic, purchase Lexapro online. Lexapro use, A few Cheryl numbers follow including Welcome to my FanClub's night!, Sagittarius☆9pm and one variant on What 'bout My Star with crowd noise in the background linking them together, order Lexapro online c.o.d, Order Lexapro online overnight delivery no prescription, giving them a ‘live performance’ atmosphere that reminds me of Depeche Mode's triumphant live show at the Pasadena Rose Bowl (found on the 101 double-album, for those who are curious), Lexapro recreational. Buying Lexapro online over the counter, Although I was unimpressed with this aspect of the score initially, I appreciate the blend of synthesised beats and polished image of a galactic pop idoru they create when listening to them on their own: they carry a lot of energy and seem to reach out and occupy as much space as possible, ordering Lexapro online. Lexapro from canadian pharmacy, My preferred version of the latter is of course Ranka's for its raw, improvised vitality but both offer different mixes of a great pop tune, Lexapro from mexico. Triangler and Diamond Cravasse Buy Lexapro Without Prescription, don't do so much for me though, possibly because I much prefer the likes of the second op theme (which I'm guessing will feature on a later album) or Infinity, which seems more sincere and less saccharine. Lexapro long term, The record is made up of music used in the first half of the series so features some of the orchestral background melodies. Vital Force, Lexapro description, Lexapro pics, Big Boys and TALLY HO! have that strident military vibe that sounds wonderfully bombastic and fearless; Zero Hour is BGM through-and-through but must confess I love the cheesy 80s guitar in it. The charm of SMS Platoon Theme is probably found in understanding the lyrics though, buy Lexapro online no prescription, Purchase Lexapro for sale, which sadly I don't.

These numbers remind me of similar tunes from the likes of Crest of the Stars and numerous live-action films; they hark back to Holst's suite of pieces, taking Lexapro, Order Lexapro from United States pharmacy, The Planets, a bit too, Lexapro blogs. I quite like classical and orchestral fare, believe it or not; especially when it's as bold and evocative as this, Buy Lexapro Without Prescription. Lexapro gel, ointment, cream, pill, spray, continuous-release, extended-release, Bajura is one piece that's especially reminiscent of the TV series scenes that used it: those doom-laden notes convey the same sense of mystery and foreboding that accompany the appearance of the Vajra in the show. The dignified Alto's Theme (which captures the serious side of his character very well), get Lexapro, Lexapro pictures, Private Army, Innocent Green (stunning piano work!) and Kira Kira are instrumentals too, Lexapro no rx, Herbal Lexapro, but show the more introspective side of the show so don't deserve to be overlooked either.

I love the way in which whoever compiles the track listings for these records doesn't think "This isn't in keeping with the rest of the album, Lexapro australia, uk, us, usa. My Lexapro experience, Let's leave it out." It might seem better to omit something like Carrots Loves you yeah! and Super Dimensional Fortress Nyan-Nyan, those outrageously funny jingles that are cutesy, Lexapro dose, Generic Lexapro, ridiculous and not at all in line with the rest of the record; I say props to them for including these because they demonstrate the series' diversity in mood, not to mention being really fun.

While Macross Plus had Voices Buy Lexapro Without Prescription, , Macross Frontier has a standout song that reminds me why Ms Kanno has such a cult fan following: Aimo. There are two versions here in the form of the shorter original and the ‘Bird Human’ version that Ranka sang for the Macross Zero movie. It doesn't matter which version I'm listening to at the time; it's guaranteed to send a shiver up my spine and Manly Tears™ to sting my eyeballs. To hell with the controversy surrounding where Kanno gets inspiration for her music; Aimo is so goddamned beautiful I couldn't care less where it came from. It's one of those songs that makes the whole universe seem to stand still.

In Summary

I take back pretty much everything negative I said about the Frontier soundtrack before now: it's right up there alongside the likes of the SAC and, indeed, Macross Plus and ensures that Yoko Kanno still hasn't had a bad project yet, Buy Lexapro Without Prescription. Using two Jpop vocalists was both challenging and risky from a musical and thematic standpoint, but with only a couple of middling tracks aside the material on offer here is a shining example of its respective genres; it's also varied enough to have something for almost everyone.

Track listing

The quirky punctuation, capitalisation and naming of the songs in general is always a headache-inducing collision of brackets, cute Engrish and questionable translations for me so this is the best I can do.

Frontier 2059

Welcome to my FanClub's night. (Cheryl on stage)

What 'bout my star. (Cheryl on stage)

射手座☆午後九時 Don't be late (Sagittarius☆9pm Don't be late!) (Sheryl On Stage)

Vital Force

トライアングラー (Triangler)

Zero Hour

What 'bout my star?@Formo

Innocent Green

アイモ (Aimo)

ビッグ・ボーイズ (Big Boys)

Private Army

SMS小隊の歌～あの娘はエイリアン (SMS Platoon's Theme - That Girl is an Alien)

ニンジーン Loves you yeah. (Carrot loves you yeah!)

「超時空飯店　娘々」CMソング(Ranka Version) (Super Dimensional Restaurant Nyan-Nyan Jingle (Ranka Version))

Alto's Theme

TALLY HO!

The Target

Bajura

キラキラ (Glitter)

アイモ～鳥のひと (Aimo~Bird Humans)

Take Off

インフィニティ (Infinity)

ダイヤモンドクレバス (Diamond Crevasse)

[9 Comments]

[Categories: Music]

11 Nov 2007

Tindamax For Sale

Posted by Martin [Tags: Ghost in the Shell, Yoko Kanno]

Gits SAC OST 2 cover The second helping of Yoko Kanno's music written for the GitS: SAC Tindamax For Sale, series proves to be of equal quality alongside the first album, if slightly different in style and atmosphere. Once again it's a typically Kanno-esque mixture of styles and genres that borrow from numerous times and cultures; incidentally it makes for excellent driving music, canada, mexico, india. Purchase Tindamax online, Cyberbird starts the record off at a brisk pace and features ethereal-sounding vocal harmonies from that mysterious Gabriela Robin to give it that almost magical quality that Kanno's vocal tracks often show. It doesn't so much say anything by itself as set up a feel for what the album sets out to achieve; the atmosphere that a soundtrack provides is an important factor in how effective I consider it to be but fortunately this tune also sounds great taken out of context and played on its own, online buy Tindamax without a prescription. Tindamax trusted pharmacy reviews, The full version of the second season opener Rise is featured here too, expanding the TV-sized arrangement with additional verses and a guitar-driven breakdown/middle eight section, Tindamax forum. It lacks that stratospheric vibe of Inner Universe but the pulsating beat makes it sound more insistent and Origa's superb vocals give a great sense of continuity, Tindamax For Sale. Tindamax without a prescription, Jazz has been a recurring theme in Kanno's back catalogue and is represented here in the form of Ride on Technology and the more playful 3 Tops. Those familiar with the use of horns, Tindamax class, Tindamax photos, virtuoso percussion (I have an immense amount of respect for jazz drummers, what with the challenging time signatures they so often work to) and smatterings of electronic sounds used in a jazz-derived context in her more recent offerings for Darker than Black will know what to expect from them, is Tindamax safe. Purchase Tindamax online no prescription, Idoling in contrast is what I'd expect a song from a futuristic series to be: the lonely-sounding horns feel like they're echoing across a decaying metropolis and the drum and bass-sounding drum beats clatter and build on that thick, dark atmosphere, Tindamax brand name. Tindamax from canada, Ilaria Graziano's contributions are not left out on this album either, as she lends her vocal and lyrical talents to the marvellous I Can't Be Cool, where can i find Tindamax online. Tindamax For Sale, I can't place any of the songs in this selection to a particular moment of the series but this one is an exception: I recall it being used in a really suspenseful brain-dive scene and those vocals, that remind me very strongly of early Lacuna Coil, are every bit as evocative as I remember. Tindamax overnight, Her ability to perform tender ballads is also reiterated with I Do, which is almost entirely comprised of her singing with only a piano accompaniment, australia, uk, us, usa. Where can i buy Tindamax online, Other mellower moments give this album a more relaxed feel than the harder-edged first disc, such as the wistful What's it For (featuring the dulcet tones of Emily Curtis) and the muted strings and piano lines of To Tell the Truth, Tindamax from mexico. Buy Tindamax from mexico, To lighten the mood, a full edit of the ‘hip-hopadelic delight’ of Get9 provides a great mixture of rock, taking Tindamax, Tindamax canada, mexico, india, funk and even a bit of rap. Pet Food is a frantic and percussive acoustic guitar number that makes use of flamenco-style chords and hints of oriental melodies, get Tindamax. Psychedelic Soul offers more guitar work, this time along with a stadium-sized crescendo of percussion and strings with Scott Matthew's voice riding over it all, Tindamax For Sale. Tindamax pictures, One final full-length edit of a theme song, that of the second season end tune Living Inside the Shell, ordering Tindamax online, Herbal Tindamax, is yet another fine example of Steve Conte's vocals and the effectiveness of a good end theme. Most songs of this type are in contrast to the op themes, Tindamax results, My Tindamax experience, which are used to draw the viewer in and get things moving, in that they provide a cool-down effect and are often weaker or at least less memorable, Tindamax no rx. Online buying Tindamax hcl, This song however is very memorable indeed and is strong enough to feel like an opening theme tune in itself.

Some parts exhibit Kanno's more, Tindamax dangers, Buy generic Tindamax, how shall I say, eccentric aspects, buy Tindamax from canada, Where can i order Tindamax without prescription, such as Go da Da (which sounds like a procession of militant insects and can't really be taken seriously) and the eclectic electronica of We Can't Be Cool, although few are of the same level of oddness as the Be Human OST, Tindamax coupon. Tindamax For Sale, Even her strangest and most experimental moments give a break from the more serious material and have a peculiar charm of their own. Order Tindamax online c.o.d, Summary

It goes without saying that fans of the first disc will love this album too - it features a number of notable songs and interesting bits of background music that helped made the SAC such an outstanding show. What makes this album so worthwhile as a separate production is that it offers something for everyone and in addition the listener doesn't need to be a fan of the show to appreciate it, Tindamax forum. Kanno's enviable reputation has given her an opportunity to collaborate with some extremely talented fellow songwriters and performers, whose talents add even more to what is already a highly recommendable record to add to your collection.

Track listing:

サイバーバード (Cyberbird)

Rise

Ride On Technology

アイドリング (Idoling)

I Can't Be Cool

3 Tops

Gonna Rice

Get9

Go da Da

サイケデリックソウル (Psychedelic Soul)

What's It For

Living Inside the Shell

ペットフード (Pet Food)

Security Off

To Tell the Truth

I Do

We Can't Be Cool

[2 Comments]

[Categories: Music]

20 Oct 2007

Advair For Sale

Posted by Martin [Tags: Gasaraki]

Gasaraki OST cover image Advair For Sale, Yep, it's that CD review that I was promising y'all for weeks. Advair dangers, Gasaraki was a series of great maturity, seriousness and sophistication; the accompanying soundtrack recreates these features accordingly, Advair class, Advair treatment, helped in no small part by the fact that the songwriting talent behind it was Kuniaki Haishima, who also worked on Monster and Spriggan, Advair without prescription. Buy Advair from mexico, The album is bookended by the op and end themes, which is perhaps strangely not a pattern always observed in OST track listings, Advair used for. Advair results, The op theme, Message #9, order Advair from mexican pharmacy, Low dose Advair, is a superb tune; arguably the reason why I became interested in the show in the first place. The vocal performance is reminiscent of Alison Goldfrapp or Portishead with samples of Noh performances and military-style snare drums that drift in along with the synthesised beats to give one of my all-time opening themes, purchase Advair for sale. The album version is even a longer edit than that used in the TV’s opening sequence too, which is a nice touch when watching successive episodes makes the shorter version somewhat overly-familiar, Advair For Sale. Advair pics, Love Song is an appropriately relaxing ending which is a good thing too considering some of the content on offer here. The snaking fretless bass blends well with the primeval-sounding percussion and Akino Arai (the voice behind Macross Plus’ Sharon Apple, buy cheap Advair no rx, Taking Advair, no less!) on hand to provide the vocals that offer a really pleasant contrast.

The rest of the record is quite a mixture but offers no lyrical content to any of the vocal performances, no prescription Advair online, About Advair, favouring background harmonies instead. My highlights of the middle portion of the disc are atmospheric ambient numbers that have their roots in Japanese folk music, Advair dosage, Advair coupon, with the synthesised electronic elements carefully woven in; the Noh vocal performances and instrumentation are a recurring element which on one hand capture the spirit of the show but on the other are a little off-putting for listeners who aren’t fans of a musical style that is very unusual and not particularly ‘tuneful’ in the conventional sense of Western music. Songs such as Tie don’t make extensive use of this but it’s the main driving force of the likes of Oroshi Advair For Sale, . I personally find the flutes and taiko to be a refreshing change actually, get Advair, Advair pharmacy, and offer that exotic and mysterious vibe that makes the series so enjoyable when it’s not being a sci-fi piece.

The other significant element, ordering Advair online, Advair steet value, the mecha/science fiction aspect, is well represented by the strident ‘military’ style orchestral material that probably also has something of a limited appeal since it’s not particularly light or relaxing listening either, australia, uk, us, usa. Advair reviews, It is quite evocative though, such as the menacing Kugai (a piece that’s the closest to being ‘frightening’ music that I’ve heard in a long time) but Beginaction, Advair alternatives, Advair australia, uk, us, usa, Scramble and B.A.D.G.E. are better suited as background music to the on-screen combat scenes rather than stand-alone listening.

This aspect of the record highlights a potential problem with soundtrack albums: while it is fantastic as accompaniment to events of the show it doesn’t fare as well taken out of context as a separate work, fast shipping Advair. Gasaraki features one of the best quality scores I’ve seen in a show of this type, placing its composer alongside the heavyweights such as Shiro Sagisu, Yuki Kajiura and Yoko Kanno in being able to bring together traditional-sounding tunes of cinematic calibre and those more concerned with the show’s own particular themes, Advair For Sale. Order Advair from United States pharmacy, Nevertheless, the one thing that makes it such an outstanding OST, Advair images, Advair description, that of mirroring and complimenting the series, doesn’t necessarily make it as enjoyable on its own, where can i buy cheapest Advair online. Advair duration, More melodic harmonies include the sublime Miharu and Unknown, which sound otherworldly and haunting – excellent examples of their type that along with the op/end tunes made this a worthwhile purchase from my own point of view, Advair trusted pharmacy reviews. Cheap Advair, They convey the mystery and occasional serene moments of the show, and stand up better than most offerings on the disc as self-contained pieces, purchase Advair online no prescription. Canada, mexico, india, They also break up the portions of ‘heavier’ (in a classical, rather than a rock music sense) material, which prevents things becoming too serious and inaccessible; a criticism I levelled at the series at times, which just goes to show that the music is really faithful to the feel of the visuals and themes.

In summary
The Gasaraki soundtrack is highly recommended to those who enjoyed the series because it effectively captures the atmosphere that's borne from the unusual combination of high-tech science fiction and Noh-inspired folklore. On its own though, it might not be as appealing to those who don’t appreciate the Noh music or who prefer their orchestral melodies to be on the lighter and brighter side. I’d say the most significant factor that counts against the record is that it’s hard to find these days at a reasonable price; a shame really, because it’s a reminder of how talented Haishima is in writing evocative soundtrack scores.

Track listing

Message #9

Oroshi

Unknown

Beginaction

Schrreal

Scramble

B.A.D.G.E.

Kryptic

Kugai

Heat

Armaments

Miharu

Shikimi

Guerrilla

Battlefield

Densho

Tuki

Love Song

[2 Comments]

[Categories: Music]

22 Jul 2007

Be Human OST

Posted by Martin [Tags: Ghost in the Shell, Yoko Kanno]

Be Human cover image

"There's no danger, we're just killing time again why they order up new parts..." This post's song quote is from a modern concept album which, coincidentally, is I suppose a fair way of describing Be Human, the GitS SAC soundtrack album that revolves around the idea of, well, 'being human'. The tachikomas of the SAC, like Ray Kurzweil who indirectly inspired the lyrics above, were prone to discussing what it means to be human in a world of computers and AI - a recurring theme of the series that forms the concept of this record. Basically, it's a concept album that's dedicated to the endearing little 'think tanks' - if it hadn't been penned by Ms Kanno I probably would have given it a go on that reason alone. The cover art, that of a tachikoma taking to the microphone, is reflected in the rest of the inlay booklet that places them in a variety of real life situations (i.e. not art taken from the series) in an photographic style reminiscent of the sleeve art for Pink floyd and The Verve's early stuff. It means you don't know what to expect from the album from a musical point of view, beyond the fact that it's a bit strange. The title track starts things off nicely as a slow ballad with half-heard background noises behind a wistful vocal in which the performer lists the little things in life that make 'being human' so precious and special. It's pretty deep and heartfelt but has a quirky oddness to it that prevents it being too downbeat. The rocking Trip City on the other hand lands between the psychadelic country-ish rock of the Screaming Trees (due in no small part to Scott Matthew's vocal style) and the stadium-sized riffs of the Who; it's an energetic tune that's a highlight of the record. Taken as a whole Be Human is Kanno at her most experimental - in terms of style it's all over the place! Going from soothing ballad to guitar rock and then to pulsatic electronica is a textbook example of 'eclectic', although it does make the album a little inconsistent overall. Some songs are too strange or too short to warrant any special mention on their own but others are great examples of why some of us rave over Kanno's songwriting talents with so much enthusiasm. Some tracks, because of their contrasting styles and influences, shouldn't be expected to work but somehow do: Bang Bang Banquet sounds like a bossa nova piece recorded on a cheap synth keyboard with its tinny horns section and honky-tonk piano; the dirty techno of Patch Me could probably fill a nightclub dancefloor if only a DJ was gutsy enough to play it. Fax Me is possibly the weirdest song on the album (which is saying something), beginning as it does in the traditional way of a classical piece arranged for strings; it is in fact either an experiment piece of modern classical or a cheeky joke aimed at the stuffy and formal approach to performing classical. The Mozart-style violins start up just as beeps, pips and all manner of electrical noises play in time with the strings - the idea sounds as inappropriate as someone's mobile going off during a Mozart recital (which isn't far off what it sounds like) but because the noises are in time they fit perfectly, as if they'd always been there - it's a bizarre effect but altogether fascinating and quite addictive! Good By My Master and Rocko no Doko? are more 'serious' tunes that, like the title track, convey genuine feeling - the latter changes in mood and tempo during its duration, as if it's real background music to the search of Rocky, whoever he or she is. Most of the songs have a very electronic and home-recorded feel to them, almost as if a group of Tachikomas got themselves inebriated on natural oil in the studio and decided to record one of their philosophical duscussions before playing around and having fun. In some ways it reminds me of Kanno's efforts on the second Macross Plus OST, in which she experiments with samples, unusual instrumentation and fusion of disparate styles. What Can I Say? is quite frankly a bit annoying (imagine a kid singing in a school musical, as the proud mum and dad manage to overlook how damn cloying it is) but the latter part of the record offers some treats to those of us who remember the 'Tachikomatic Days' shorts. Pro Bowler Tachikoma and the inevitable concluding track Ciao! (that bleepy cover of a snippet from Scott Joplin's 'The Entertainer' that ended every Tachikomatic Days instalment) send things into Tahikoma comedy territory, and there's the cutesy Jpop of AI Sentai Tachikomans too, which must have been a lot of fun for the musicians and vocalists to record. Summary The vast range of styles and genres is something that has been a Yoko Kanno trademark for years, giving us some of her best work as well as some that is...well, pretty darned strange. Be human is a record to approached with an open mind, purely because you'd miss some real gems if you skipped certain tracks because the sound 'weird' or 'random'. Many are whimsical novelty numbers that make you wonder whether they are making a serious point or not but rest assured it's bound to have at least something to your taste, no matter how unlikely that may seem! Tracklisting

Be Human
Trip City
Patch Me
Tachikoma no Ide (Runaway Tachikoma)
Osanpo Tachikoma (Tachikoma out for a walk)
Bang Bang Banquet
Fax Me
Rocky wa Doko? (Where's Rocky?)
Spotter
Let's Oil
Cream
Spider Bites
Good By My Master
Piece By Ten
What Can I Say?
Hi!
I'm Not Straight
AI Sentai Tachikomans (AI Combat Team Tachikomans)
Pro Bowler Tachikoma
Don't Sponge Me
Po'd Pod
Ciao!

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[Categories: Music]

16 May 2007

End of Evangelion OST

Posted by Martin Just a break from the usual schedule...since I've been doing nothing but fansubs lately.

End of Evangelion OST Cover Image

You might not think that the melodramatic, apocalyptic themes of EoE would make for pleasant listening when contained in a CD but the OST is surprisingly enjoyable and varied. It's a mostly orchestral effort from Shiro Sagisu with a couple of vocal numbers and specially-recorded versions of two well-known Bach pieces. The album's running order is more or less the same as that of the film itself: those who have seen EoE will be able to relate individual songs to scenes in the movie in chronological order. This does present one distinct problem, though. I can't help but connect the songs to the film, with all the thoughts and feelings that went with it. As a result I found myself thinking "Hey, this is the scene where..." during several of the tracks. I've always been a fan of dramatic, evocative orchestral music (bet you didn't expect that from a rock fan, huh?) so I really like the soaring string melodies and so on. Sadly I can't pin down what his individual influences are beyond classical and traditional film scores since interviews with Sagisu are hard to find; all I can say is that it's in the style of traditional 'film music' - some are relaxing, some are dramatic and others build up slowly from simple piano or violin harmonies to full orchestral pieces, complete with crashing cymbals and pounding percussion. Sagisu's version of Bach's Air II is unsurprisingly melancholy - compared with the other CD recording I have at home, his take is quite slow in tempo that wrings out the downbeat aspects of the tune without overdoing it. The Passage of Emptiness contrasts this by building up from a simple piano melody to a full orchestra during its duration: it gives a strong sense of energy and movement and is one of my favourites on the album. Thanatos is the album's first proper vocal track and features Loren and Mash - I don't know much about them apart from the fact that they have collaborated with Sagisu elsewhere. Anyway, this is a smooth jazz style number that is quite different from the rest of the record but it's great to relax to. Honeymoon With Anxiety is another of my favourite tracks here - as its name suggests it's not nearly as easy listening but the way in which the piano delivers an off-kilter melody really winds up the tension. A violin/viola echoes this figure twoards the chaotic coda, this time with a very glissando-driven and almost-unmelodic way that gives a very oriental and uneasy atmosphere. Komm Süsser Tod is the other vocal track on offer. Arienne's plaintive, clear-as-a-bell vocal style and the lilting, beatles-esque melody (complete with Hey Jude-style handclaps in the long outro!) that's derived from Pachelbel's Canon in D is in stark contrast to the lyrics themelves - the use of irony is really quite brilliant. The 'feel' of the song is quite poppy and bright but the meaning is that of absolute and utter despair! After being dragged through the emotional wringer there's a rendition of Jesus, Joy of Man's Desiring; another popular Bach piece that this time is played as a piano solo. After what goes before and after it is a period of eloquent serenity, and the simple instrumentation brings out its beauty and simplicity. Expansion of Blockade is another orchestral piece that goes from quiet and restful to dramatic and epic, with Opening of Dream giving a quiet moment of reflection and introspection before the album's end - after the emotionally-charged nature of many of the songs on here, this is a much needed 'cool down' moment. Summary The fact that the song order is dictated by that of the film means that it doesn't stand alone as strongly as other soundtrack albums do: it provides a similar emotional journey with the same ups and downs as End of Evangelion itself does. If you've already seen the film you will, like me, find it difficult to separate the sounds from the images, which is a shame since the material is very good in its own right. Because of this, the fact that it's such a success as a movie soundtrack detracts from its identity as a self-contained record; nevertheless, Shiro Sagisu has a definite talent for conveying mood and atmospere with his music which makes it worth the purchase. Track Listing:

Interference of Others
End of Midsummer
Emergency Evacuation to Regression
False Regeneration
Substitute Invasion
II Air
The Passage of Emptiness
THANATOS - IF I CAN'T BE YOURS
Escape to the Beginning
Honeymoon With Anxiety
Komm, Süsser Tod
Jesu, Bliebet Meine Freude
Expansion of Blockade
Opening of Dream

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[Categories: Music]

25 Feb 2007

GitS SAC OST +

Posted by Martin [Tags: Ghost in the Shell, Yoko Kanno]
No updates for ages and all I have to offer is another helping of fanboy raving? Yep. It's time for me to highlight another Yoko Kanno album...

cover image

One thing that the SAC always represented for me was the fusion of the natural and mechanical, old and new, recognisable and strange. Appropriately enough, that theme is carried over in the music that accompanies the show - traditional instrumentation sits alongside samples and other electronic sounds, showing perhaps her broadest range of styles to date. The opening tune, Run Rabbit Junk, blasts out of the speakers with an industrial drumbeat and distorted guitars, Yakitori following hot on its heels as an instrumental guitar jam. Taken on their own, this could be a rock album - a far cry from the orchestral pieces of Macross Plus. Stamina Rose however falls more into the realms of dance or trance with its hypnotic beat and ethereal chanting. It's an about-turn for Surf then, which sounds like more tribal with its pan pipes and wooden drums over the bassline. Where Does This Ocean Go? is the first of several brilliant performances from guest vocalist Ilaria Graziamo: the surreal lyrics, looped samples in the background and her distinctive vocal delivery give the song a Bjork-esque vibe. Train Search is a sudden change of pace and feel, with distorted Black Sabbath-style guitar lines played at an energetic tempo. Not the best song on the album, but as a rock fan the riffs are really fun to tap your feet along to! Siberian Doll House starts off quite relaxing, with some Dave Gilmour-inspired guitar and eerie background vocal samples. Some more sound effects make it sound more and more dark and menacing, ending with a shrieking violin crescendo reminiscent of the Beatles' Tomorrow Never Knows. Needless to say it's quite a surprise on its first listen. Velveteen is another Ilaria Graziamo effort, which relies quite heavily on synths so sounds more 'futuristic' and in keeping with the show's themes. Perhaps surprisingly Lithium Flower comes next rather than being at the end (as you might expect with it being the end theme to the series) and is another guitar-driven tune with Scott Matthew, another long-term collaborator, on vocals. Home Stay is quite a funky instrumental that transforms into something from a 70s cop show towards the end; it is a quirky reminder that the SAC is, after all, a high-tech cop show. It's no surprise though that Inner Universe is one of the album's highlights and Origa's vocal performance is spectacular (I really ought to track down her solo stuff sometime). This version is also an extended mix that runs for longer than the TV theme edit; the slowdown in tempo partway through makes it a more varied and satisfying experience than the version most fans will be familiar with. The two-part Fish: Silent Cruise sums up what makes the album (and the series) as a whole. it contains soaring vocal harmonies, traditional orchestral parts, crashing drums and bizarre electronic noise: the collision of the old and new, organic and mechanical, it is a strange journey but a strangely enjoyable one. Some Other Time might not be as famous as Inner Universe but it's my personal favourite - a delicate guitar line plays over a string section with Gabriela Robin's (or is it Kanno herself? It's a long-running rumour) half-whispered vocals that take off into the stratosphere when the guitar's distortion kicks in. I don't know what she's singing about but the whole tune sounds heavenly. Beauty is Within Us on the other hand has very clear and interesting lyrics sung once again by Scott Matthew. The melody is pretty emotionally-charged but the feeling and meaning behind the words are especially memorable. We are the Great is a short acoustic guitar piece that is pleasant enough but isn't anything worthy of much comment with what follows. Monochrome is Ilaria Graziano's third and final contribution to the disc, and it's a beautiful tune with a hint of melancholy and loneliness. Odd, but stunning nonetheless. The album concludes on two short tracks: Get9, a short, funky number reminiscent of Jamiroquai, and a TV edit of the Second Gig's op theme Rise. Again it's a brilliantly energetic song with Origa providing the vocals once again (a detail that gives a great sense of continuity when you watch the second series) and a pounding dance beat. I can't wait to get hold of the second OST and hear the full version! Summary Although this is only the third OST of Kanno's that I've heard, I'd say it's the most recommended owing to not only the quality but the sheer range of styles of music on offer here. We have rock, dance, industrial, traditional and more experimental elements that appear on one disc and often within the same songs. How she can effortlessly pen tunes across such a broad spectrum is beyond me, and in the process make a record that is very much a 'stand alone' experience alongside the project it was written for. The series is mature, classy and well worth your time; the talent of the songwriter (not to mention guest lyricists and vocalists) easily matches the standards set for it. Tracklisting:

Run Rabbit Junk
Yakitori
Stamina Rose
Surf
Where Does This Ocean Go?
Train Search
Siberian Doll House
Velveteen
Lithium Flower
Home Stay
Inner Universe
Fish ~ Silent Cruise
Some Other Time
Beauty Is Within Us
We're The Great
Monochrome
Get 9
Rise (TV Size)

Note: Some pressings of the CD have a scrambled track order partway through. Velveteen and Lithium Flower are on the same track, which means subsequent tracks are numbered incorrectly. The two parts of Fish ~ Silent Cruise are on separate tracks though, so everything that follows that song is numbered correctly. The album's wikipedia entry gives more details on this mastering problem; it's my only criticism of what is a very unusual but outstanding record.

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[Categories: Music]

11 Oct 2006

Macross Plus OST II

Posted by Martin [Tags: Macross, Yoko Kanno]
Macross Plus OST 2 The second half of the Macross Plus soundtrack is much more varied in style than the first, although inevitably this means that it is less consistent in quality. At least, unlike its predecessor, this CD is still available outside of Japan without going to too much trouble with importing. Idol Talk is an impressive way to open the album, being lifted straight from that legendary Sharon Apple concert scene. Imagine early Madonna fast-forwarded fifty years and you'd be halfway to imagining what a superlative piece of J-pop this song is: an insistent synthesised drumbeat mixes with electronic samples and Akino Arai's sweet, seductive vocal delivery that really sounds like the future of music. The two following tracks, Jade and Nomad Soul, are background pieces that show the record's variety to great effect. The former is a carefree 'marching' type of tune with jolly whistling, drums, warbling hammond organ and a dash of bluesy acoustic guitar here and there; the latter is a three minute jazz-inspired saxophone solo. *grins* Nice. The feel of Welcome to Sparefish will be immediately recognisable to anyone who is familiar with the music from Cowboy Bebop: the lazy, twangy slide guitar brings in the carefree blues vibe once again. I always think of that tune as Isamu's theme. ^_^ Go Ri a Te is a strange one, kicking off with a tribal-sounding vocal chant then pan pipes and taiko drums, except the instruments are all electronic! A keyboard performing a jaunty oriental melody tops of a decidedly strange piece. Let's News is odd too, but is over just as you're thinking "what the...?" about the vocal samples. It wouldn't be missed if it were omitted from the tracklisting, but it isn't long enough to try your patience. Pulse on the other hand is a beautiful track that is not unlike the chilled-out electronica from Royksopp and Massive Attack: a soaring vocal harmony plays out over the slow-paced beat with electronic loops and samples murmuring beneath. A definite highlight of the album, which could easily stand alone outside the album itself. 3cm is a variation on the first OST's More than 3cm, this time performed on piano and sax; this above all others on this disc highlights Kanno's Debussy and other similar influences, adding the only classical offering on the album. Akino Irai returns for the sublime acoustic version of Voices, arguably the best song on the whole disc. With the instumentation stripped down to mere piano accompaniment, this version loses none of its power and haunting beauty; I'll leave it up to you to decide on which of the two versions you prefer because I love them both - mainly because the instrumentation adds a more sombre and introspective spin to the song. Pu Qua O is more strongly driven by piano melodies before those electric pan pipes return, and serves as a relaxing and light interlude before the dark and brooding Sweet Feather (which retains its feeling of foreboding because I associate it with its moment in the OAV) - it would be better titled as 'Ominous Night' or similar. A Sai En marks that moment where the Macross begins to re-awaken, i.e. it's that searing, dramatic vocal chant that teeters tantalisingly on the edge of melodic. Emotionally charged indeed. Bad Dog, with its bizarre and quite frankly annoying vocal samples (also used on Santi U) is best left out of the discussion: take my advice and press the 'skip' button because you'll only lose patience before the more pleasant harmonies fade in towards the end. Child Myung re-uses the distinctive melody used on both Myung Theme and Voices, this time played on a harp-like instrument. Coma is a rather slow and gloomy way to end the album, being quite low-key and directionless. Like many of the tracks here, it's better as BGM than a stand-alone, sit-down-and-listen type of track. Summary The second OST follows on from and compliments the first one well, but as before there are a small number of stand-out tracks with a lot of interesting but less outstanding incidental music in between. There are still one or two songs I would have like to have seen included (namely Sharon Apple's The Borderline) but overall the disparate range of influences and styles is a help rather than a hinderance. It's far from Kanno's strongest album to date but there is enough stand-out material to warrant a place in any fan's collection. Tracklisting

Idol Talk
Jade
Nomad Soul
Welcome to Sparefish
Go Ri A Te
Let's News
Pulse
3cm
Voices (acoustic version)
Pu Qua O
Sweet Feather
A Sai En
Bad Dog
Child Myung
Coma

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[Categories: Music]

25 Aug 2006

Macross Plus OST 1

Posted by Martin [Tags: Macross, Yoko Kanno]
Macross Plus OST 1 One of the most memorable aspects of Macross Plus is the music: a heady mixture of the orchestral, electronic and ambient. This is the first in what I hope will be a series of editorials drawing attention to the songwriter who created it: Yoko Kanno. Although her scores for Cowboy Bebop and Ghost in the Shell: Stand-alone Complex are the most well-known Macross Plus has always had a special place in my appreciation of anime soundtracks since it was the first work of hers that I'd heard. Coincidentally, it was the first anime soundtrack she'd written - quite an amazing fact when you've given it a listen. The first CD is quite a surprise in another sense: more than half of it is orchestral, no doubt inspired by European classical: the National Anthem of Macross has a 'military band' feel with the brass section and Fly Up in the Air: Tension could have been picked straight out of Holst's The Planets. Somehow this traditional approach to a music score works well as a companion to a science fiction story but can stand as an outstanding record on its own. There isn't much from the Sharon Apple set list though, which I'm assuming can be found in the second CD (which is fortunately easier to find). The most outstanding tracks for me are the episode end theme After in the Dark and the stunning vocal piece Voices; the latter adding words to the soaring melody of Myung Theme. Already this compilation shows the trademarks of Kanno's sound: eclectic yet easily recognisable with a wide variety of instrumentation and frequent use of heart-rending vocal harmonies (Torch Song and the haunting closing track Santi-U for instance). This particular CD is out of print and hard to find unless you import (CDJapan.co.jp is your friend) - a shame since, as well as being Kanno's first foray into anime soundtracks, it's also one of her best. I strongly recommend you track it down: the effort involved will be amply rewarded. Well, that's all for now. The second Macross Plus OST is currently awaiting delivery and I already have the first draft of my GitS: SAC OST review ready so until then I'll get back to the normal reviewing schedule... Tracklisting: 1. National Anthem of Macross 2. Fly Up in the Air: Tension 3. After In the Dark: Torch Song 4. Myung Theme 5. Bees and Honey 6. In Captivity 7. More Than 3cm 8. Voices 9. Break Out: Cantabile 10. Very Little Wishes 11. Santi-U

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[Categories: Music]